If you are all so inclined

[hisgirl_2455]

I would really like to see, in one thread, everybody's basic standing on the issues. I will go first.

I am an independant
I believe we are in desperate need of enforcing the immigration laws as they stand on the books...deport, secure
Not sure where I stand on war in Iraq, sometimes I think it was smokescreen for some important issues here at home that our govt didn't want to address, but I can't pinpoint it excatly.
The economy only sucks because our govt needs to be needed and they have created this
Global warming is a farse. Another excuse for us to "need" our govt to "fix it".

So far, that's all I've got, hopefully this will bring more conversation though. Please feel free to express freely.

[Details]

- I am a Democrat - used to be moderate Republican, but they've left that behind for the last 15 years or so.
- I believe we need to enforce immigration law - in particular going after the businesses harshly, allowing our police to report for deportation illegals they find in the course of their work, and securing the border.
- War in Iraq was the biggest con ever created - 936 lies - but we are there, and we need to stop messing around with partisan Republican administrators trying out their experiements, and put the country back together. We broke it, we bought it - we've got to fix it to some degree.
- The economy is in some trouble, because we spend more than we bring in, want to both spend like crazy and have tax cuts.
- Global warming is absolutely real, no serious scientist disputes that to any real degree.
- My presidential preferences, in order, would be, Clinton, Obama, a loaf of day old bread, McCain (used to be ahead of the bread until he let Bush walk over him even after the SC push polling last election), Guilani, half eaten day old bread.

Probably easiest if we keep basic declarations here, and discuss on other threads - too many issues to discuss on just one thread.

[DDawg]

I'm a progressive Democrat. I believe global warming is the most serious issue we currently face. I favor a solution to the immigration issue that will allow undocumented folks who are living and working in the U.S. to have a path to citizenship. I do not favor a border fence or mass deportations. I do favor deportation of violent felons who are not U.S. citizens. I'm undecided on a guest worker program. I favor all industries in the U.S. paying workers a living wage. Since Kucinich is dropping out, I now favor Obama for president. I am opposed to the war in Iraq. I favor equal civil rights for all people, which includes marriage rights for same sex couples. I'm pro choice on the abortion issue. I'm pro gun control. I'm pro separation of church and state. I'm an environmentalist, feminist and animal rights advocate.

[Jellah]

I am a democratic socialist.

I view the invasion of Iraq as illegal and one of the worst crimes a nation can commit and its more about geo-political power than anything else. I believe we have to pull out immediately and then pay Iraq the money we owe plus damages and should be making payments for years to come.

I believe in humane and realistic approaches to illegal immigration (not just in the US, other developed nations also have this problem). I think the US should also cease all its interferrence in the latin american nations that cause much of the poverty that leads to illegal immigration to the US in the first place.

I believe in decriminalizing drugs and treating it as a health issue, personal choice issue rather than a criminal issue.

I view the Israeli/Palestine conflict more like a GENOCIDE of the palestinian people rather than a "conflict".

I believe in human rights and inherent value for all life (includes animals).

I firmly believe that not only should church and state be seperate, so should COPORATE ENTITIES and GOVT!

I believe global warming is a very serious issue and we may be constructing our own extinction.

I believe puppies, kittens, monkeys and babies are the cutest things on the planet and that Terry Pratchett is a genius who also happens to be REALLY funny :)

[Phil]

Great idea Hisgirl!

I drive a truck for a living & my wife is an RN. We live a middle class life and spend within our means.

I tend to favor conservative views on things. Politicians in general, are disappointing to me, but I'll usually vote Rep in national elections. State & local I may switch & split votes between the parties.

Illegal immigration ~ Secure our borders first & foremost, then enforce our immigration laws.

War in Iraq ~ Given the threat that Saddam Hussein posed to the stability of the Middle East I feel we were right to move against him. I don't think we'll ever resolve the insanity of the tribal and muslim sect clashes that continue there. We really need to pull our troops out and let them settle there own problems.

Global warming ~ It's coming, it's here, there's no stopping it.

The economy ~ I'm not really concerned, I've always been able to make a living. I hate to see all the manufacturing jobs this country has lost.

IMO the biggest problem in the world today is over-population.

[janicelee]

What a wonderful idea. Thank you for thinking of it.

I'm a liberal democrat, but 2006 was the first time in my life I had ever voted a straight party ticket. I'm a lesbian and I don't think I will ever forgive the Republican party for the way they used gays and lesbians as scapegoats, in recent years.

Thing I am most worried about is the economy. I worked for the same company for almost 20 years and saw my job and my pension disappear into a corporate bankruptcy a few years ago. I went back to college and got a new career although I find it interesting that I make less money and have fewer benefits with a college degree now then I did without one five years ago. Immigration is a concern but outsourcing offshoring and the general war on the middleclass that corporate America seems to be waging on us are all of equal concerns to me.

I supported the invasion of Afghanistan but opposed to the invasion of Iraq. I feel that Bush has chosen to ignore the man responsible for the greatest mass murder in American history. I find it unbelievable that Bin Ladin isn't dead or sitting in prison. Way to keep your eye on the ball W.

I oppose the death penalty, but support the right of Americans to own guns and I am a gun owner myself.

I do believe that global warming is a real problem. Between the economy and climate change I sometimes despair for the future of the most important people in the world, my nieces and nephews.

[Tracian]

I think both parties suck, and both have their good points. I don't like that the 'liberals' treat the USA like children that need a mommy and daddy telling us what to do...and as far as the GOP...what the hell happened to small government? Talk about through the looking glass...yikes.

I am a moderate, though I hate labels.

I think that global warming is in part natural and part civilization, but I also believe that Gaia will not allow destruction, rather send out viruses to cure her own aliments, and those that in 'mankinds' amazing wisdom may have already destroyed the natural cure for.

1. I believe in the right to bear and keep arms.
2. I believe in the right to choose
3. I believe in the right to marry whom one chooses
4. I believe that freedom of religion means all religion, and that the last time we mixed religion with politics people got burned at the stake.
5. I believe in the Death Penalty case by case.
6. I believe in protecting the environment
7. I believe in freedom of speech, even if I think what you say is disgusting, likewise, I believe that there is a time and a place for such that does not impede on the rights of others.


I Love my country but lately fear my government..and that is why I hope for a positive change..

[SaberGal]

I believe there is a balance to everything - and everything requires balance. Here is a short summary of what I believe (though not necessarily in order of importance):

* I do not believe in global warming but do believe in taking responsible care of the environment that has been entrusted to us.

* I am pro-life but am repulsed by the extremist pro-life movement (those who bomb clinics, kill doctors, scream at mothers). My personal views on this stem from my belief that life begins at conception and that life is sacred. However, I have several friends who have had multiple abortions and have nothing but love in my heart for them.

* The less that government is involved in our lives, the better. - This goes double for the federal government

*I support the death penalty (especially involving crimes against children) on a case-by-case basis where guilt is undeniable. That said, too many innocent people are sent to prison for crimes they did not commit and as such, each death penalty sentence should be carried out only with absolute and undeniable certainty. I am a huge supporter of Project Innocence.

* I believe that the biggest threat to the American way of life as we know it is our "disappearing civil liberties" - Anyone that trades their rights for security will have neither.

* I believe in our constitutional right to bear arms. If we take away this right, only the criminals will be armed.

* I do not consider myself an animal rights activist but do not believe cruelty to animals should be tolerated.

[Smokey Stover]

Janicelee, Jellah, Details and DDawg have pretty much mouthed my main issues, with some few variations. I'm pro-gun-control, and have no idea how best to deal with illegal immigration except that I think it's essential that we deal with it. If "What she said" is incorrect in regard to gender, I'm really sorry. I just can't remember if I ever figured out the gender of Jellah or Details. Our pronouns are unforgiving as to gender--we only have two choices, and maybe is not an option.

I hope that health care is an issue that will be taken seriously, but it is hard to tell. We are not, basically, a very progressive nation, especially now. The Republicans are appealing directly to people's amygalae, which are the source of fear, and the economic downturn, even if it was brought on by Republican policies, makes people fearful of anything new and unfamiliar, like healthcare reform. I should say, "more fearful," as people are always fearful to some degree of the new and unfamiliar. (Such as a woman president or a black president or a liberal president.)

[texanne]

I am an Independent who has worked to elect candidates from both parties. I dislike the way the Republican party plays itself as the guardians of our morals. I think we can all see from what has been revealed about so many of them recently that it was all a big lie. Hypocrites disgust me, and both parties have plenty of them. They both sound good on paper, but in real life the Republicans seem to cater to mostly fat cats, while the Democrats think welfare is the way. I tend to take things issue by issue just like I decide on people....each on their own merits.

I have seen the damage done and continuing to be done to our working class tax payers by the unchecked influx of illegal immigrants. I want strict control of our borders (also a national security issue with me). I want immigration laws enforced, and employers taught a harsh lesson when they are caught hiring them. I would put very, very strict conditions on any path to citizenship, as I do not favor rewarding their thumbing their noses at our laws.

I grudgingly supported the Iraq invasion for a while, strictly based on the presentation before the UN...which was a pack of baloney. We had no business invading Iraq since it was not a threat to us. Their corrupt leader was contained and could not even fly his own planes anywhere in Iraq without being fired upon. The citizens there were young, healthy, and armed to the teeth. It was their duty to take out their bad leader if they did not like him...not ours. Over a trillion dollars of our financial future blown in that fiasco and I am sickened and angry about the whole thing.

I believe personally that marriage is between a man and woman...but that is my belief only. I do not wish to decide for others. People should read all the commandments before they judge... "judge not, lest ye be judged". Fine by me...takes the responsibility of deciding for others off my shoulders. I have a gay member of my family that I love dearly. He is a helpful, kind person that I would defend to death. His choice is his business, not mine.

As for the leading candidates in the race for President....I am saddened that we could not come up with a better selection. That is the problem with being Independent, the party does not matter to you, so you take a closer look at the issues. I don't think the economy will fare a lot better no matter which one of them is elected. I do not think any of them will address the unfair trade agreements adequately...and I do not think the poisons in our food, pet food, toys, medicines from china will be addressed. China seems to be rich enough to buy all of them (and evidently congress to boot). I do not mean to sound cynical or pessimist, I consider myself realistic. I will be writing e-mails, sending faxes, and burning up the phone lines no matter which one gets elected. My main goal is just to hold their feet to the fire and remind them they are there to serve us, not themselves. And thanks for letting me put my two cents worth in.

Oh, and the environment. I do not think we can afford to ignore warnings about our environment. I live on a river, so I am always aware of water pollution. I live in the same county with large chemical plants and refineries (the reason I am out on the river)..so I am painfully aware of air pollution and the way plants get by with skirting around the laws. We really need to address pollution, over population, etc. We have not been very good stewards of this beautiful planet. I think if cities had to deal with their garbage, etc within their own city limits, the inhabitants of those cities would be forced to see the unvarnished truth.

[african grey]

I am an Independent who has worked to elect candidates from both parties. I dislike the way the Republican party plays itself as the guardians of our morals. I think we can all see from what has been revealed about so many of them recently that it was all a big lie. Hypocrites disgust me, and both parties have plenty of them. They both sound good on paper, but in real life the Republicans seem to cater to mostly fat cats, while the Democrats think welfare is the way. I tend to take things issue by issue just like I decide on people....each on their own merits.

I have seen the damage done and continuing to be done to our working class tax payers by the unchecked influx of illegal immigrants. I want strict control of our borders (also a national security issue with me). I want immigration laws enforced, and employers taught a harsh lesson when they are caught hiring them. I would put very, very strict conditions on any path to citizenship, as I do not favor rewarding their thumbing their noses at our laws.

I grudgingly supported the Iraq invasion for a while, strictly based on the presentation before the UN...which was a pack of baloney. We had no business invading Iraq since it was not a threat to us. Their corrupt leader was contained and could not even fly his own planes anywhere in Iraq without being fired upon. The citizens there were young, healthy, and armed to the teeth. It was their duty to take out their bad leader if they did not like him...not ours. Over a trillion dollars of our financial future blown in that fiasco and I am sickened and angry about the whole thing.

I believe personally that marriage is between a man and woman...but that is my belief only. I do not wish to decide for others. People should read all the commandments before they judge... "judge not, lest ye be judged". Fine by me...takes the responsibility of deciding for others off my shoulders. I have a gay member of my family that I love dearly. He is a helpful, kind person that I would defend to death. His choice is his business, not mine.

As for the leading candidates in the race for President....I am saddened that we could not come up with a better selection. That is the problem with being Independent, the party does not matter to you, so you take a closer look at the issues. I don't think the economy will fare a lot better no matter which one of them is elected. I do not think any of them will address the unfair trade agreements adequately...and I do not think the poisons in our food, pet food, toys, medicines from china will be addressed. China seems to be rich enough to buy all of them (and evidently congress to boot). I do not mean to sound cynical or pessimist, I consider myself realistic. I will be writing e-mails, sending faxes, and burning up the phone lines no matter which one gets elected. My main goal is just to hold their feet to the fire and remind them they are there to serve us, not themselves. And thanks for letting me put my two cents worth in.

Oh, and the environment. I do not think we can afford to ignore warnings about our environment. I live on a river, so I am always aware of water pollution. I live in the same county with large chemical plants and refineries (the reason I am out on the river)..so I am painfully aware of air pollution and the way plants get by with skirting around the laws. We really need to address pollution, over population, etc. We have not been very good stewards of this beautiful planet. I think if cities had to deal with their garbage, etc within their own city limits, the inhabitants of those cities would be forced to see the unvarnished truth.


I guess I could be called a moderate though I am not sure.

I do believe in global warming. The earth has changed so many times since its conception and I beleive it is changing again. I also think we should take better care of it, doing our best to address the pollution we as humans leave behind. I also think we should take better care of our wildlife and plant life so it will be here for our grandchildren.

I really don't care who people marry. I believe in marriage between a man and a woman but I don't believe it should be a large concern in my life because each person is free in this country to choose who to love and who they want to marry. I don't think the government should waste time on this issue when we have so many other issues that need to be addressed. I also don't believe time should be wasted on whether or not a baseball player took steroids either.

Even though I am employed by the Federal Government I do not support the war in Iraq. I don't think we should have gone there and should have concentrated on Afghanistan. Working for the government means that I do support the troops in the field and that is as it should be. They are the ones who are loosing their lives and leaving behind parents, wives, husbands, children who need them at home. For what? So Bush could say he did what his daddy didn't.

I have no problem with immigration as long as it is done legally. While I can understand why the immigrants sneak into our country they need to come in legally, pay their taxes and not be eligible for welfare. If they live here they should live on what they make and not on the backs of taxpayers.

I wanted John Edwards for President. I won't be voting for Obama. I will be giving my vote to John McCain, not because I want to but because I don't believe in Obama. He makes pretty speaches, he is relatively easy on the eyes I guess, but I have not heard anything that he really plans to do. I would vote for Clinton but she was not my first choice. What I want is a president who will take care of this country, not worry about Africa, Darfur, the Congo, Iraq. While I believe in helping our fellow man I believe the money should be spent in this country. We have welfare babies that are born drug addicts, people who are barely making ends meet, people who are losing everything they have because greedy bankers and politicians lied to them. It's easy to say they should have known what they were doing, but really, how many people really understand the mortgage system?

I believe in the right to bear arms; however I don't believe people should be walking around armed all the time. I don't believe the gun buyback is working and I have no idea how to stop criminals from getting guns. I really don't think there is a way to stop it.

I do believe in stem cell research. If stem cells can help alievate some of the diseases on this earth I see no reason not to use them. I don't believe in partial birth abortion except in extreme circumstances.

I believe animals should be treated as God's creatures and not be harmed for entertainment, such as hunting, dog fights, dog races etc. I believe animals will go to heaven and if they don't I want to go where the dogs go.

Even though I work for the government I do not believe the government should be able to interfere in private lives. They should stick to government and concentrate on things that matter to all people, not just a select few.

I believe in the death penalty in cases where it is absolutely necessary. I don't believe that children should be put in adult prisons, even if they are guilty of murder. Children should be kept in juvenile facilities until they are adults and then moved to prison. They should also be prepared for the transition.

And I believe that our government is flawed but for all its flaws it is the best there is and I am proud to be American.

AG